Chapter 1

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 1 •

Looking back at the most happiest and amazing memories I've had. I realize; Memories are bullets. Some fly by and only serve to frighten you. Others will rip you apart and leave you in pieces.

"Condolence Anastasia"

"Anastasia, sorry for your loss"

"I'm sorry, Anastasia"

I could hear them all, but it just sounded like noise to me. I simply nodded and continued to stare at my grandfather's casket. My world appears to be steadily disintegrating under the weight of the misery I'm experiencing.

"Anastasia? Could I speak with you for a moment?" I shifted my gaze to Fayre, who had taken up a seat next to me.

"Sure" I responded blankly.

"Anastasia, your grandfather wants you to be strong, especially now that he is gone," she abruptly grabbed my hand and squeezed it tight.

It took me a minute to open my lips to answer.  "I'm trying” I whispered while still staring at the photo of my grandfather over his casket. My throat tightened as I felt a sharp pang in my chest.

“No one saw who shot your grandfather. The surroundings were very dark and the incident was not seen on CCTV “She stated and sighed again. I clenched my hand in frustration, “Is there any news on the weapon?" I ask. But she just shook her head, "Negative"

The second I close my eyes, the memories play, and I find myself back at the beginning. All of my childhood memories with my grandfather include laughter, scolding, pain, and happiness.

"What's your plan, Uno?" When Fayre spoke again, I snapped back to reality. I lick my bottom lip and look her in the eyes.

Uno that is my alias before I leave the S.A.H after the last mission I had and it’s been a year since I heard that name again.

"Make them pay," I answered and she sighed and stood up and saluted as a sign of respect before leaving. I watched her walk away. She’s Fayre Sivistica, 28 years old, The Singko of Alpha group.

Flashbacks keep recurring. Who would kill my grandfather?

"They will pay big time grandpa. Big time" I muttered and clenched my teeth.

I paid him a visit at home on a Saturday morning. He told me to spend the entire day training and playing with various guns and knives with him. He reminds me how valuable I am and that I should be strong. It was strange because he wasn't always like that to me; we're both formal because of the nature of our jobs. But that day, everything was different and I didn’t know it was the last.

Downstairs In the kitchen, I find my butler preparing the table. It’s already Sunday evening, and my grandfather's casket was buried this morning.

“Ms. Anastasia---is that you?” my butler asks without turning around. I walk towards the table silently. I am here at my grandparents’ house in North Carolina Brooklyn.

“You didn't go to your grandfather's funeral,” He said, now looking at me.

I averted my gaze and stared out the window. Morning light comes through the curtains as I lay curled in bed checking my cell phone with ten unread messages, fifteen missed calls, and 2 voice mail. But I ignored them all this morning.

“There was a ceremony and there were a lot of people at the funeral--I know it’s very hard for you” he continues, "They handed your grandfather the award of honor for service to the country during the ceremony, and I put it upstairs in your grandfather's table." my stomach clenches as the thought of this. I didn’t say anything and just walk out of the kitchen.

I made the decision to go for a walk. I cross the street and walk down the block without looking back. As I make my way into nowhere, I feel a slight chill. I'm not sure where I'm going, but my feet just keep walking. It's spring. Flowers blossom in baskets beneath street lamps. I grew up in New Los Santos Liberty, and as far as I remember, we had a simple life. My mother owned a lovely flower store, and my father is also an agent. My mother died when I was five years old as a result of my father's mission; they said she was the collateral damage. And after that, my father vanishes.

"I knew you'd be here," someone murmured from behind me, but I didn't bother looking around. After a long stroll, I realize that my foot has led me to the village park. I'm sitting on the swing, staring at the sky.

In my peripheral vision, I noticed him seated in the next swing as well. "How are you?" he asked, but I stayed silent, unsure what to say.

"People were asking where you were," he muttered, "and I told them you were on your mission."

"You don't have to say that, Sam," I reply as I turn to face him. He fakes a smile and gazes up at the sky. "I know, but everyone expects you to be there."

"Nothing would change if I was there; he won't return," I explained. My tone is low and cold.

He gave me a disapproving look and shook his head. "You are my only family, Anastasia, and it's okay to be weak and in agony at times like these."

I clenched my fist as I stood up and turn around to walk away without saying anything.

"You're always like this turning around and walking away from people." I heard him say making me stunned. "You don't have to push us away"

I take a long breath and gather my words before turning to face him. "I can't be weak, Sammy," he stares at me for a long time. "He's dead, and he's not coming back," I continued. As my chest clenched, my bones trembled. I swiftly left the park, leaving him behind.

I start running, making sure I'm not too close to the village park. Minutes passed, and when I stopped abruptly, I noticed a long bench beside a large tree. I move over to it, sit, and lean back. I don’t know what part of the village is this located in.  I closed my eyes as I sighed, recalling what I had spoken to Sam. He is my cousin, he is my uncle's son. His parents abandoned him, same as mine, and my grandfather is the only one looking out for him.

I know he needs my presence. I know he wants me to be by his side as he grieves for Grandpa. But I'm not sure how to help him. I keep turning around and walking away because I was not raised to be sympathetic to the feelings and emotions of others. I'm not even sure how to deal with mine.

That is not how I was trained…

"Where have you been? I was worried about you," my butler said as soon as he saw me. It's already twelve o'clock at night. I walk directly to the house's stairs, not answering or glancing at him. I don't want to be disrespectful to him, but I can feel myself about to erupt at any moment.

As I reached upstairs, I was ready to enter my room when my gaze was drawn to the left side of the corridor, where my grandfather's office was located. I found myself wanting to go inside all of a sudden. I lick my bottom lips as my heart starts to beat faster.

I went straight to the door and grabbed the doorknob.

I take a deep breath and open it. The room was filled with the heady scent of roses. I took my time entering. The room is crammed with books, paperwork, and various files. My gaze wandered about, and my lips parted as I noticed something over his cabinet. I took a quick step towards it. My hands tremble as I reached for it…

It was a photograph of me and him.

As I stared at it, my chest clenched again. "I am so proud of you," he said to me as we parted ways that day.

“I will give you justice grandpa”